Many people, especially women are very enthusiastic about shopping. Along with the salary that flows into the bank account at the end of the month, a number of shopping centers often tease them with persuasive discounts.

For a shopaholic or a shopping enthusiast, it seems that they must be careful. Not only compulsive shopping that can lose lots of money, but also an increased risk of stress.

According to the Daily Mail, a study revealed that carrying heavy shopping bags increases the risk of stress. The weight that burdens the body or hands, makes a person think more seriously so that the brain works harder.

A number of researchers from the Chinese University of Hong Kong and National University of Singapore conducted an experiment to see how heavy a physical burden can increase stress. They conducted experiments to assess consumer response due to grocery load.

Researchers from the Chinese University of Hong Kong and National University of Singapore, saw how the physical weight can increase stress to assess consumer reaction.

They divided the respondents into two groups. The first group was asked to hold a shopping bag full of stuffs, and then asked to give an opinion about a given topic. While the second group only consulted with a similar topic, without having to hold the load in their hands.

The result showed that respondents who are in the first group address the topic of serious discussion. While respondents in both groups addressing similar problems more casual or relaxed.

The study, published in the Journal of Consumer Research, forthcoming issue, also suggests that the adverse psychological effects that attack a person while carrying a heavy load can be damped when ordered to think of light objects, like balloons and feathers.

Study leader, Meng Zhang and Li Xiuping said their findings this time reinforces previous studies showing that physical load affects one’s psychological burden. “Previous studies show that physical experience carrying a heavy load can affect a person’s appraisal of an event that is not associated with physical experience.”